Apparatus and methods for creating purified portable water from the atmosphere

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a system to extract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, and provide beverages for human consumption. In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation from filtered intake air, and then subjects the condensate to a series of purification filters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinking water. The system may then use the water produced to provide carbonated drinks, flavored drinks, coffee drinks, or ice. The system may also play music and charge a portable electronic device. The disclosed system may incorporate the variations in different combinations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/319,676 filed Nov. 11, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,302,412, which is asection 371 of international PCT/US11/20077, filed Jan. 4, 2011 andnon-provisional of U.S. application No. 61/365,068 filed Jul. 16, 2010,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/747,902filed Jun. 14, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,544, which is a section 371of international PCT/US09/61811 and non-provisional of U.S. applicationNo. 61/115,534, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference forall purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The demand by consumers for good-tasting, pure and safe, economical, andenvironmentally friendly sources of drinking water has resulted in anever-growing market for purified bottled water, including water packagedin individual-sized plastic bottles and dedicated water coolers thatrequires periodic delivery and change-out of large water bottles. Notonly is either of the preceding water-delivery methods in efficient andrelatively expensive, but they each expend precious water-supplyresources. Moreover, individual purified-water bottles are usually madeof plastic and are rarely recycled, which results in undesirable solidwaste to populate landfills.

One source of water that often goes unappreciated and generallyuncapitalized on is the humidity in the atmosphere. While the prior arthas long included room dehumidifiers, which condenses humidity in theair and produces waste water to be later dumped, these dehumidifiers donot subject the condensate to specialized filtration or other processingto make the water suitable and/or better tasting for human consumption.

In addition, many consumers enjoy bottled soda water and flavoreddrinks, the delivery of which presents the same problems as wasdiscussed for non-carbonated purified water bottles already discussedabove. Therefore, it would be desirable to create a convenient,economical, and environmentally friendly means to deliver safe, pure,good-tasting carbonated water for human consumption either by itself orin combination with other flavorings and substances.

In addition, many consumers enjoy ice cubes and all kinds of coffee.Therefore, it would be desirable to create a convenient, economical, andenvironmentally friendly means to deliver safe, pure, good-tastingcarbonated water, coffee, and ice for human consumption.

Further, consumers enjoy listening to music while doing all sorts ofdaily activities. A versatile environmentally conscious apparatus thathas a docking station with speakers which allows the consumer to charge,recharge, or play any MP3 player, any IPOD or any IPHONE while making apot of coffee, a carafe of sparkling soda water or a bucket of ice wouldbe a very attractive device. The system functions described above mightnot be provided all at once but sub-combinations can exist.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive disclosures contained herein include a system designed toextract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and conditionthe extracted water, and provide optional carbonation of the extractedwater for human consumption. The highly purified water can also be usedto make ice or coffee for human consumption. The top of the apparatushas a docking port and speaker system compatible with a MP3 player, anIPOD, or an IPHONE. The docking port may also be compatible with otherportable electronic audio devices and smart-phones.

In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation fromfiltered intake air, then subjects the condensate to a series ofpurification filters and to a sterilization process in order to producedrinking water, while also providing a means to combine the purifiedwater with CO₂ gas to facilitate dispensing carbonated water and/orcarbonated drinks. This highly purified carbonated water is alsoconducive to the health of consumers.

In a second embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensationfrom filtered intake air, then subjects the condensate to a series ofpurification filters and to a sterilization process in order to producedrinking water, while also providing a means to combine the purifiedwater with ground coffee.

In a third embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation fromfiltered intake air, then subjects the condensate to a series ofpurification filters and to a sterilization process in order to producedrinking water, while also providing a means to freeze the purifiedwater creating ice cubes.

In some alternative embodiments, where there is very low humidity and/orambient temperature, which said environment is not conducive to theproduction of very much condensate for water production, the device canbe connected directly to an external tapwater source, wherein the tapwater is subjected to the device's purification filtration andsterilization processes, as well as the optional carbonation,coffee-making, and/or ice-making processes.

The preceding summary is only intended to provide a very brief overviewof the inventive disclosures contained within this patent application.The preceding brief summary is not intended to recite the entirety ofthe inventive concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a simplified one-line diagram of one embodiment of therefrigeration system that extracts water from the atmosphere, whichshows the fluid flow through major components.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of one embodiment of the system that extractswater from the atmosphere, depicting the functional relationships ofmajor components that process the gas and liquids through filtration andsterilization to produce purified water.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the inventive disclosure as anisometric view of major internal components.

FIG. 4 depicts a CO₂ gas cylinder and the gas-diffusion chamber.

FIG. 5 depicts the front panels of one embodiment of the inventivedisclosure, including the locations of a CO2 gas cylinder and thegas-diffusion chamber.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of one embodiment of the system showing thedocking station for any MP3 player, any IPOD, and any IPHONE.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the front view of one embodiment of thesystem, depicting all of the components, such as the two speakers, LCDdisplay, two doors, a CO₂ gas cylinder, a soda water carafe, a coffeepot, and an ice drawer.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of the system; and

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment includes a system designed to extract water moisture fromthe atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, andprovide and optional carbonation of the extracted water for humanconsumption. The device collects water-vapor condensation from filteredintake air, then subjects the condensate to a series of purificationfilters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinkingwater, while also providing a means to combine the purified water withCO₂ gas to facilitate dispensing carbonated water and/or carbonateddrinks.

Alternatively, where there is very low humidity and/or low ambienttemperature, which said environment is not conducive to the productionof very much condensate for water production, the device can beconnected directly to an external tap-water source, wherein the tapwater is subjected to the device's purification filtration andsterilization processes, as well as the optional carbonation process.

Refer to FIGS. 1-5. Some embodiments incorporate the fan/blower-powered[5] intake of filtered air [9], which is directed through anevaporator-condensation means [4, 2], such as an aluminum-finevaporator, causing condensate to gravity-drain into a collector means[6]. In one embodiment, the collector means [6] is a highly polished,plate-shaped, detachable water retainer, wherein the highly polishedsurface facilitates the gravity flow of condensate water into the lowerwater tank [12]. The collected water condensate is then pumped [15]through a series of filters (such as activated carbon filters, zeolitefilters, and/or far-infrared filters mineralization) [16, 18] andthrough a reverse-osmosis filter [17]. The reverse-osmosis filter [17]is also connected to a waste-water proportion controller [19] thatallows a user to control how much waste water the user would like thesystem to produce. The waste-water proportion controller [19] isconnected to the collector means [6] and waste-water outlet via athree-way valve [20].

In an embodiment, the filtered water is then subjected toultra-violet-light sterilization [26, 28] and temperature condition(cooling [25] or heating [35]). Finally, the device provides the userwith the option of directing the purified water and CO₂ gas [A12] into agas-water-diffusion chamber [A1], which then can provide the user withthe purified, sparking water from the output [31]. Some embodiments alsoincorporate both a heating means [34, 35, 36] and a refrigeration means[1,25,37] so that end users can opt to dispense either heated water orcooled water. Some embodiments only provide a means to dispense cooledwater, while even other embodiments dispense the water at ambienttemperature.

In some embodiments, the various subsystems such as the heating andcooling systems, the sterilization system, and defrosting systems arecontrolled by an intelligent, single-chip control system. Thesingle-chip control system uses inputs associated with watertemperature, water level [38], and defrosting temperature to decide whento actuate various control devices, such as the solenoid cooling valve[37].

In some embodiments, the refrigeration systems comprise a typicalrefrigeration cycle, including refrigerant compressed by a compressor[1] into a liquid, whereby the compressed refrigerant passes through thecapillary aluminum-fin (or equivalent) condenser [2] and is vaporized,thus removing heat from the medium surround the evaporator. Notably, insome embodiments, a common compressor is used to supply refrigerant toboth the evaporator-condenser [4, 2] and to the cooling coils [25] inthe upper water tank [24], which is advantageous to both reduce theinternal room required to house components and to conserve resources.One or more solenoid-operated control valves are used to directrefrigerant flow.

In an embodiment, the condensate-collection system comprises a condenserfan [5] with a collector [6], wherein the fan forces intake ambient airthrough the cold evaporator fins [4], on which liquid water willcondense from the air and deposit on said fins, then gravity-drain intothe collector [6] and into the lower water tank [12].

In an embodiment, the compressor [1] sucks-in gaseous refrigerant fromevaporator [4] or from the cooling loop [25]. The compressed, hotrefrigerant usually passes through condenser [2], and from there torestriction (copper filter) [44]. The refrigerant then passes throughsolenoid cooling valve [37]. If solenoid cooling valve [37] is notelectrically energized, then the refrigerant passes through outlet [b](see FIG. 1) and from there to the evaporator [4], where the refrigerantis permitted to expand and thus chills air passing through theevaporator [4]. If solenoid cooling valve [37] is electricallyenergized, the refrigerant passes through outlet [c] and from there tocooling loop [25] (contained within upper water tank [24]), where therefrigerant is permitted to expand and thus chills water in upper watertank [24].

In one embodiment, the compressor [1] is a high-efficiency,variable-speed compressor whose operation, including energizing timesand speed, are controlled by a an inverter-controller. Preferably, thehigh-efficiency, variable-speed compressor (with controller) hascharacteristics comparable to those of a Panasonic® Model 6TD075XAA41.Because the compressor [1] is the largest electrical load on the system(typically, it represents almost 50% of the energy consumption of thesystem to generate water from the atmosphere), it is advantageous tominimize its cycling operations as allowed by ambient conditions, suchas temperature and humidity. Moreover, the employment of such acontrollable, high-efficiency compressor [1] facilitates the use of asolar-energy source such that the machine can be stationed remotely andindependent from any external power source. In a related embodiment, thesystem is electrically powered by one or more solar panels rated atrated for at least 300 W.

In another embodiment, the intake ambient air previously mentionedleaves the evaporator [4] and passes through the condenser [2], which ishot, and the air absorbs heat from the condenser [2]. In anotherembodiment, the compressor [1] can pump hot refrigerant into theevaporator [4] in order to defrost the evaporator fins [4], using adefrost sensor (omitted for clarity in the figures) that senses a frosttemperature in the evaporator [4]. If a excessive-frost conditionarises, then solenoid-operated control valve [40] is opened, and hotrefrigerant is ported directly into the evaporator [4] to defrost theevaporator.

In one embodiment, the lower water tank [12] is of a detachable designlocated in a drawer to facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance. Inanother embodiment, the lower water tank [12] also comprises apreliminary filter [13] (which in some embodiments is comprised ofactivated carbon or zeolite, to remove the smell of condensate water andammonia). In another embodiment, the lower water tank also comprises aparticle filter [14], which is used to help protect the one or morewater pumps [15].

In an embodiment, to prevent secondary pollution from Pseudomonasresulting from evaporation at the brass fins due to pinna heat and watercontact, and at the same time prevent corrosion at the evaporator [4],the evaporator [4] surface is coated with non-toxic, anti-corrosionmaterials that comply with applicable food standards for paint or a PTFEprotective layer. This helps avoid the condensation of heavy metals intothe water, which improves the safety of drinking water. Moreover, thecoating promotes the rapid collection of water.

In an embodiment, in order to prevent large particulate matter and dustinto the lower water tank [12], and at the same time to prevent mold onthe evaporator [4] surfaces, the air intake is equipped with ananti-static, anti-mold air filter [9, 10]. Said air filters areinstalled in the air filter guide [11], providing convenient access forcleaning or changing-out.

In one embodiment, the water pump [15] pumps water through the activatedcarbon filters [16], the reverse-osmosis filter [17], and the zeolitefilter [18]. The reverse-osmosis membrane filter [17] has an aperture ofapproximately ≦0.0001 μm in order to filter out bacteria, viruses, andheavy metals, as well as to remove unwanted smells. This filtrationhelps ensure that the output water, whether be sparking water ornon-sparkling water, meets applicable standards for drinkability.Wastewater output port [19] is employed in a backwash of thereverse-osmosis filter [17]. Filtered water, suitable for drinking,reaches the upper tank [24], where it can be chilled.

In another embodiment, the lower-water tank [12] has a water levelsensor [39]. Whenever the water level sensor [39] detects that the tank[12] is substantially full, according to a predefined setpoint, then theevaporator [4] is not chilled by way of manipulation of the one or moresolenoid-operated control valves [40], since the addition of morecondensate to the tank [12] would risk overfilling the tank [12].

In an embodiment, each tank water-level sensor [38, 39] can adopt adesign that includes a two-line water level sensor with a built-inmagnet float, which can detect water level in different locations with aclosure of a different reed switch to determine the value of the waterlevel.

In an embodiment, the cooling loop [25] is used to control the watertemperature in the upper water tank [24] to within the range of 2-15°C., which helps inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction. At the sametime, in another embodiment, the upper water tank [24] is equipped withultra-violet disinfection device [26, 28] to aid in water sterilization,which subjects the water within the upper water tank [24] toultra-violet light. In one embodiment, the ultra-violet sterilizationdevice [26, 28] has an effective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%,using a wavelength in a range of 253-255 nm, for example 254 nm. In anembodiment, the ultra-violet sterilization device [26] is controlled bythe single-chip control system to periodically turn on as water withinthe upper water tank [24] is circulated by pump [27] through thesterilization chamber [28] and delivered back to upper water tank [24]in order to perform sterilization from time to time and to preventbio-film growth in the tubing/piping.

In another embodiment, potable water is released through output filter[30] to outlet valve [31] by electrically operated valve [29], afterhaving passed through the sterilization chamber [28].

In an embodiment, to supply hot water, water is able to drain throughline [33] from upper water tank [24] into hot water tank [34], whichcontains an electrical heating element. Hot, potable water is pumped bywater pump [35] through an electrically operated valve [36], and throughoutput filter [30] to outlet valve [31] via electrically operated valve[29].

In one embodiment, another ultra-violet disinfection device is used forthe user-selected output water stream (that is, hot or cold, sparklingor non-sparkling, water) through outlet valve [31].

In an embodiment, the upper water tank [24] has water-level sensor [38].Whenever the water-level sensor [38] detects that the upper water tank[24] is substantially full, according to a predetermined setpoint, thenthe water pump [15] is not operated, as this would overfill the upperwater tank [24].

In an embodiment, the bank of carbon filters are configured such thatthey are easily accessible in the device to facilitate replacement.

In one embodiment, the water-heating tank [34] and supporting one-wayvalve [36] and water pump [35] are used to provide hot water within arange of 50-95° C., as controlled by the single-chip controller.

In another embodiment, the device employs a water-leakage-detectionswitch, which will shutdown the system if leakage within the devicecabinet is detected.

In an embodiment, a user controls the device's mode of operation by wayof a digital display and control system [42], which can employ either abutton or touch-screen input device. Said system provides a means for auser to set the operating temperatures for the cooling and heating ofthe water to be output, as well as defrosting cycles. Additionally, saidsystem provides a means for the end-user to select whether the outputwater is to be carbonated or not. In addition, the display providesnotifications to the end-user of when filter replacements aredue/recommended, the activation of the sterilization process, the upperand lower limit of the working humidity. Said system can also beprogrammed to save energy and shutdown key components, such as thecompressor [1], when low-humidity and/or low-temperature conditions aredetected. Finally, the display also provides troubleshooting informationin the event of a system failure.

In another embodiment, the device can be connected to an externalpotable water source, which is advantageous for times when either theatmospheric conditions are such that there is low temperature and/or lowhumidity. In this case, the external water source can still takeadvantage of the device's onboard systems for high filtration,sterilization, temperature conditioning, and diffusion with CO2 gas forthe formation of sparkling water.

In an embodiment, the CO₂ gas is mixed with output water to producecarbonated drinks, through the installation of one or more CO2 gascylinders [A12] and a gas-diffusion chamber [A1], which are connected attheir tops via a gas line [A6]. The CO₂ gas cylinder(s) [A12] is(are)equipped with a one-way valve [A10], having a valve stem [A9], and apressure-relief valve [A11]. The CO₂ gas enters the gas-diffusionchamber [A1] via a one-way valve [A10] and the trachea [A2]. Thegas-diffusion chamber [AI] is equipped with an inlet valve [A3] and apressure-relief valve [A5]. An alarm is set off if the relief-valve [A5]spring pressure setting is set too high. Lever [A7] is urged upwards byspring [A8]. If a user causes lever [A7] to be depressed, then the valvestem [A9] is pushed downward, releasing gas into gas line [A6]. Fromthere, the gas passes through throat [A2] into water contained in thegas-diffusion chamber [A1]. Eventually, release valve [A4] opens (theuser will also hear the sound of filling as the gas-diffusion chamberrealizes a saturated content of purified water and CO₂ gas), signalingto the user to release lever [A7]. Thus, in one embodiment, a user mayunscrew the gas-diffusion chamber [A1], position the chamber underoutlet valve [31], may dispense potable water into the gas-diffusionchamber [A1], screw the gas-diffusion chamber [A1] back into place, andthen depress lever [A7] until signaled to release lever [A7] by a soundat release valve [A4]. In some embodiments, a user can get the outputpurified carbonated water via a separate output valve at the top of thegas-diffusion chamber [A1]. In other embodiments, a user can cause asolenoid control valve (via control panel [42]) to align the source ofthe output from valve [31] to be directed from the gas-diffusion chamber[A1].

In other embodiments, the gas-diffusion chamber [A1] is configured toreceive purified water from the machine directly while in adepressurized state without direct user intervention, wherein asolenoid-operated control valve allows purified water to enter thegas-diffusion chamber [A1] until a predetermined level is reached. Saidpredetermined level can be detected by way of a water-level detector,such as one of a magnetic-float type as described earlier in thisspecification, or a pressure sensor. The gas-diffusion chamber [A1] isthen able to be pressurized to a predetermined amount with CO₂ gas fromCO₂ gas cylinder(s) [A12]. Said predetermined amount of pressurization,which in turn translates to the level of carbonation (saturation) of thewater, can be detected and controlled by way of a pressure sensor or awater-level (expansion) detector within the gas-diffusion chamber [A1].Then, the output of the machine can provide a purified sparkling-wateroutput via throat [A2] and output valve [31]. When first used, the CO₂gas cylinder(s) [A12] tightens up on the valve seat, resulting in noleakage. Additionally, the gas-diffusion chamber [A1] once primed withthe purified water-and-CO₂ mixture also tightens up on its seals toprevent leakage.

In alternative embodiments, flavorings, including but not limited tofruit juices, can be added to the gas-diffusion chamber [A1] in additionto the purified water, thus resulting in potable, flavored carbonateddrinks. Flavorings may also be added at, or before, the outlet valve[31] for other beverages. Flavorings might include fruit juice,vegetable juice, sugar-based syrups, low-calorie syrups, calorie-freesweeteners, dairy products, and extracts from herbs and spices.

In one embodiment, the system contains one or more vessels for distilledspirits. These may include liqueurs or other alcoholic beverages. Thesystem may combine the alcohol with water, carbonated soda water, ice,flavorings, coffee drinks, and/or other alcohols to provide a cocktailor other mixed drink. In one embodiment the mixed drink is preparedaccording to a pre-programmed recipe. In another embodiment, the mixeddrink is prepared according to a recipe program received through theportable electronic device.

FIG. 6 is a top view of one embodiment of the system 521 showing thedocking station 511 for any MP3 player, any IPOD and any IPHONE.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the front view of one embodiment of the system521, depicting components, such as the two audio speakers 519, 520, LCDdisplay 512, two doors 513, 515, a CO₂ gas cylinder 516, a soda watercarafe 514, a coffee pot 517, and an ice drawer 518.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the system 521.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the system521. Evaporator 531 is cold. Blower 532 blows ambient air through theevaporator. Condensate drops into drip pan 533 and is collected in tank534. If there is a call for water from tank 538, and if the tank 534 isnot empty, then pump 535 pumps water through filters 536, 537 to tank538. Filters may be activated charcoal filters, or may be other types offilters, replaced as needed from time to time. Water from tank 538 isalso made available to ice maker 540 which makes ice 542 which is storedin storage bin 541. While such ice is often loosely referred to as “icecubes”, it will be appreciated that with most ice makers the ice isactually in the form of crescents. Water from tank 538 is also madeavailable to coffee maker 546, which provides hot water to funnel 547which holds a coffee filter, omitted for clarity in FIG. 9. Drip coffeeis captured in carafe 517.

Yet another approach is to provide a more sophisticated coffee maker,such as an espresso/cappuccino maker. Such a maker provides a source ofsteam or superheated water for making the beverage, and steam is alsoavailable for frothing of cream or milk for the cappuccino.

It will be appreciated that the system according to the invention offersat least two distinct benefits. One benefit is that the user, who willbe drinking the beverage, will likely find it desirable that the wateremployed to make the beverage is essentially distilled water, and thusis free of many potential contaminants that might be found in water fromother sources. A distinct benefit is that the boiler chamber used forgenerating steam will “lime up” as minerals accumulate. The accumulationof minerals (such as calcium or magnesium salts) can render the boilerunusable. With the present invention, however, the water will containvirtually no calcium or magnesium salts and thus the boiler chamber willnot “lime up” nearly so quickly.

A compressor, omitted for clarity in FIG. 9, provides compressedrefrigerant to evaporator 531, or to a jacket of tank 538, or to icemaker 540, to provide cooling for the evaporator 531, or to cool thewater in tank 538, or to provide chilled air for the ice maker 540 andthe ice storage bin 518. Controller 549 receives, for example, a callfor cooling from a sensor at the evaporator 531, or a call for coolingfrom a sensor at the cold-water tank 538, or a call for cooling at theice maker 540. After the refrigerant evaporates and provides its coolingbenefit, it is compressed in the compressor and is then cooled in acondenser, omitted for clarity in FIG. 9. Water from tank 538 is passedto tank 544 where it is heated (under thermostatic control) and isdispensed at spigot 545.

Chilled water is dispensed at spigot 543. Overflow and drain lines,likewise omitted for clarity in FIG. 9, provide drain paths forunintended overflow in cold-water tank 538, hot-water tank 544,coffeemaker 546, and ice maker 540. Water may be dispensed from spigot543 into carafe 514, which may then be set into place in the carbonationlocation having pipe 553. When hand-operated valve 552 is opened, carbondioxide from tank 516 is released and carbonates the water. In this waythe user receives sparking water from the air.

Controller 549 receives calls for cooling or heating and calls forwater, and generally administers the day-to-day function of the system521, with a display 512 and a keypad 550. The controller 549 will alsodesirably keep track of the usage of the filters 536, 537 and willrecommend their replacement as appropriate.

A connector (docking station) 511 can receive audio signals and amplifythe signals for speakers 519, 520. The audio signals are provided by anelectronic device connected to the docking station 511. Such a devicemay include a MP3 player, an IPOD, an IPHONE, an audio book player, asmart-phone, a digital radio, and other electronic devices. The user maycontrol the playback process and volume and tone at the keypad 550. Asmay be seen in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the speakers are optimally positionedangled outwards, thereby enhancing the stereo listening experience.

It will be appreciated that the term “speaker” might mean a devicecontaining a single transducer converting electrical energy into airvibrations, or might mean a device containing two or more transducerseach converting electrical energy into air vibrations. The latter istypified by a speaker containing a tweeter and a woofer. In a stereosound reproduction system there will typically be two speakers, each ofwhich contains one or more transducers.

The docking station 511 may merely provide an audio path but may alsocontain a recharging path for recharging the music player, and may alsoprovide control signals to start and stop the player and to selectprograms, channels, digital audio files, and digital radio stations forplay. Preferably the docking station 511 and the speakers 519, 520 arehigher than the plumbing of the system 521, thereby reducing the riskthat water or other liquids will contaminate or damage the dockingstation 511 or speakers 519, 520.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty devising myriad obviousvariations and improvements to the invention, all of which are intendedto be encompassed within the scope of the claims which follow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for providing drinkable watercreated from purified potable water derived from an atmosphere, saidsystem comprising: a housing having an air-inlet port and an air-exhaustport; a refrigerant compressor; at least one multi-way solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve; a controller for monitoring and forcontrolling said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve and other electrical subsystems within the system; an evaporator,wherein said evaporator has fins for maximizing surface-area contact andheat transfer with ambient air, wherein said fins are coated withnon-toxic, anti-corrosion materials that comply with applicableregulatory food standards for paint or a PTFE protective layer, saidcoating promoting rapid collection of condensate water, and wherein saidevaporator can be configured by said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve to receive chilled refrigerant as pumped fromsaid refrigerant compressor to chill air passing across said evaporatorfins, and wherein said evaporator can be configured by said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receive hot refrigerantas pumped from said refrigerant compressor to defrost said evaporatorfins; an anti-static, anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static,anti-mold air filter is installed upstream of said evaporator; acondenser for the system's refrigeration cycle; a fan or blower, whereinsaid fan or blower circulates ambient air from said air-inlet port,through said anti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator,said condenser, then out said air-exhaust port; a collector with highlypolished surfaces; a preliminary filter to remove any smell ofcondensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filter iscomprised of activated carbon or zeolite; a condensate-collection tank,wherein said highly polished surfaces of said collector facilitategravity flow of condensate water into said condensate-collection tank,and wherein said condensate-collection tank is equipped with awater-level detector, said water-level detector and controller causingsaid evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerant at a predeterminedhigh-level setpoint; at least one water pump; a particle filter forfiltering particles to protect an intake of said at least one waterpump; a water-purification filtration assembly to filter out bacteria,viruses, and heavy metals, as well as to remove unwanted smells,comprising: at least one activated carbon filter, at least onereverse-osmosis filter, wherein said reverse-osmosis filter has anaperture of less than or equal to 0.0001 μm, and wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed such that a waste water canbe directed to said collector via a three-way valve that is controlledby a waste-water proportion controller, at least one zeolite filter;wherein said at least one water pump pumps condensate water from saidcondensate-collection tank through said water-purification assembly; apurified-water-collection tank for collecting purified water, whereinsaid purified-water-collection tank is equipped with a water-leveldetector, said water-level detector and controller causing said at leastone water pump to stop pumping new purified water into saidpurified-water-collection tank at a predetermined high-level setpoint; acooling loop disposed within said purified-water-collection tank,wherein said cooling loop can be configured by said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receive refrigerant aspumped from said refrigerant compressor to cool said purified water, andwherein a temperature of said purified water in thepurified-water-collection tank is maintained within a temperature rangeof 2-15 Celsius; a sterilization system for killing biological materialand viruses within said purified-water-collection tank, comprising anultra-violet light device and sterilization chamber, said ultra-violetlight device having an effective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%,using a wavelength in a range of 253-255 nm; a hot-water tank thatreceives purified water from said purified-water-collection tank throughgravity drain, wherein said hot-water tank contains an electricalheating element, wherein the purified water within said hot-water tankis within a range of 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller,and wherein to provide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potablewater can be pumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operatedvalve and an output filter to a common outlet header; a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; an interface for charging and playing an audio device connectedthereto; at least one speaker controlled by the system, said controleffectuated through at least one of: a control panel, a remote control,or an audio device application; thereby producing air-extracted,purified water, which is available for a user to extract via said commonoutlet valve, and a system for charging and playing an audio deviceconnected thereto; wherein, said air-extracted, purified water is cooledto form ice and said ice may thereafter be dispensed from the system; acoffee maker, said coffee maker comprising: a ground coffee container,the ground coffee container having an inlet for hot water or steam, andthe ground coffee container having an outlet for liquid coffee.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the purified water is heated to form steamwhich is may then be made available through a steam dispensing tube,wherein the flow of steam through the steam dispensing tube iscontrolled by a valve which may be activated by a user.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one solar panel having a ratedcapacity of at least 300 W to electrically power the system.
 4. A systemfor providing drinkable water created from purified potable waterderived from an atmosphere, said system comprising: a housing having anair-inlet port and an air-exhaust port; a refrigerant compressor; atleast one multi-way solenoid-operated refrigerant control valve; acontroller for monitoring and for controlling said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve and other electricalsubsystems within the system; an evaporator, wherein said evaporator hasfins for maximizing surface-area contact and heat transfer with ambientair, wherein said fins are coated with non-toxic, anti-corrosionmaterials that comply with applicable regulatory food standards forpaint or a PTFE protective layer, said coating promoting rapidcollection of condensate water, and wherein said evaporator can beconfigured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve to receive chilled refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to chill air passing across said evaporator fins, and whereinsaid evaporator can be configured by said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve to receive hot refrigerant as pumped from saidrefrigerant compressor to defrost said evaporator fins; an anti-static,anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static, anti-mold air filter isinstalled upstream of said evaporator; a condenser for the system'srefrigeration cycle; a fan or blower, wherein said fan or blowercirculates ambient air from said air-inlet port, through saidanti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator, saidcondenser, then out said air-exhaust port; a collector with highlypolished surfaces; a preliminary filter to remove any smell ofcondensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filter iscomprised of activated carbon or zeolite; a condensate-collection tank,wherein said highly polished surfaces of said collector facilitategravity flow of condensate water into said condensate-collection tank,and wherein said condensate-collection tank is equipped with awater-level detector, said water-level detector and controller causingsaid evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerant at a predeterminedhigh-level setpoint; at least one water pump; a particle filter forfiltering particles to protect an intake of said at least one waterpump; a water-purification filtration assembly to filter out bacteria,viruses, and heavy metals, as well as to remove unwanted smells,comprising: at least one activated carbon filter, at least onereverse-osmosis filter, wherein said reverse-osmosis filter has anaperture of less than or equal to 0.0001 μm, and wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed such that a waste water canbe directed to said collector via a three-way valve that is controlledby a waste-water proportion controller, at least one zeolite filter;wherein said at least one water pump pumps condensate water from saidcondensate-collection tank through said water-purification assembly; apurified-water-collection tank for collecting purified water, whereinsaid purified-water-collection tank is equipped with a water-leveldetector, said water-level detector and controller causing said at leastone water pump to stop pumping new purified water into saidpurified-water-collection tank at a predetermined high-level setpoint; acooling loop disposed within said purified-water-collection tank,wherein said cooling loop can be configured by said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receive refrigerant aspumped from said refrigerant compressor to cool said purified water, andwherein a temperature of said purified water in thepurified-water-collection tank is maintained within a temperature rangeof 2-15 Celsius; a sterilization system for killing biological materialand viruses within said purified-water-collection tank, comprising anultra-violet light device and sterilization chamber, said ultra-violetlight device having an effective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%,using a wavelength in a range of 253-255 nm; a hot-water tank thatreceives purified water from said purified-water-collection tank throughgravity drain, wherein said hot-water tank contains an electricalheating element, wherein the purified water within said hot-water tankis within a range of 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller,and wherein to provide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potablewater can be pumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operatedvalve and an output filter to a common outlet header; a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; an interface for charging and playing an audio device connectedthereto; at least one speaker controlled by the system, said controleffectuated through at least one of: a control panel, a remote control,or an audio device application; thereby producing air-extracted,purified water, which is available for a user to extract via said commonoutlet valve, and a system for charging and playing an audio deviceconnected thereto; a coffee maker, said coffee maker comprising: aground coffee container adapted to holding ground coffee, the groundcoffee container having an inlet for hot water or steam, and the groundcoffee container having an outlet for liquid coffee.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, further comprising at least one solar panel having a ratedcapacity of at least 300 W to electrically power the system.
 6. A systemfor providing ice and drinkable hot and cold water created from purifiedpotable water derived from an atmosphere, said system comprising: ahousing having an air-inlet port and an air-exhaust port; a refrigerantcompressor; at least one multi-way solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve; a controller for monitoring and for controlling said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve and other electricalsubsystems within the system; an evaporator, wherein said evaporator hasfins for maximizing surface-area contact and heat transfer with ambientair, wherein said fins are coated with non-toxic, anti-corrosionmaterials that comply with applicable regulatory food standards forpaint or a PTFE protective layer, said coating promoting rapidcollection of condensate water, and wherein said evaporator can beconfigured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve to receive chilled refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to chill air passing across said evaporator fins, and whereinsaid evaporator can be configured by said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve to receive hot refrigerant as pumped from saidrefrigerant compressor to defrost said evaporator fins; an anti-static,anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static, anti-mold air filter isinstalled upstream of said evaporator; a condenser for the system'srefrigeration cycle; a fan or blower, wherein said fan or blowercirculates ambient air from said air-inlet port, through saidanti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator, saidcondenser, then out said air-exhaust port; a collector with highlypolished surfaces; a preliminary filter to remove any smell ofcondensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filter iscomprised of activated carbon or zeolite, a condensate-collection tank,wherein said highly polished surfaces of said collector facilitategravity flow of condensate water into said condensate-collection tank,and wherein said condensate-collection tank is equipped with awater-level detector, said water-level detector and controller causingsaid evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerant at a predeterminedhigh-level setpoint, at least one water pump; a particle filter forfiltering particles to protect an intake of said at least one waterpump; a water-purification filtration assembly to filter out bacteria,viruses, and heavy metals, as well as to remove unwanted smells,comprising at least one activated carbon filter, at least onereverse-osmosis filter, wherein said reverse-osmosis filter has anaperture of less than or equal to 0.0001 μm and wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed such that a waste water canbe directed to said collector via a three-way valve that is controlledby a waste-water proportion controller, at least one zeolite filter,wherein said at least one water pump pumps condensate water from saidcondensate-collection tank through said water-purification assembly; apurified-water-collection tank for collecting purified water, whereinsaid purified-water-collection tank is equipped with a water-leveldetector, said water-level detector and controller causing said at leastone water pump to stop pumping new purified water into saidpurified-water-collection tank at a predetermined high-level setpoint, acooling loop disposed within said purified-water-collection tank,wherein said cooling loop can be configured by said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receive refrigerant aspumped from said refrigerant compressor to cool said purified water, andwherein a temperature of said purified water in thepurified-water-collection tank is maintained within a temperature rangeof 2-15 Celsius; a sterilization system for killing biological materialand viruses within said purified-water-collection tank, comprising anultra-violet light device and sterilization chamber, said ultra-violetlight device having an effective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%,using a wavelength in a range of 253-255 nm; a hot-water tank thatreceives purified water from said purified-water-collection tank throughgravity drain, wherein said hot-water tank contains an electricalheating element, wherein the purified water within said hot-water tankis within a range of 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller,and wherein to provide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potablewater can be pumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operatedvalve and an output filter to a common outlet header; a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; an ice maker, the ice maker comprising: an inlet to a vessel,the inlet provided with purified water, a vessel for containing thepurified water during cooling, at least one cooling loop adjacent to thevessel; and an ice dispenser; thereby allowing a user to obtain anoutput of ice or hot or cold purified water from the system.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, further comprising an interface for charging andplaying an audio device connected thereto.
 8. The system of claim 7,further comprising a module for making and dispensing coffee drinks. 9.The system of claim 6, further comprising a module for making anddispensing coffee drinks.
 10. The system of claim 6, further comprisingan interface for playing an audio device connected thereto.
 11. Thesystem of claim 6, further comprising at least one solar panel having arated capacity of at least 300 W to electrically power the system.
 12. Asystem for providing drinkable hot and cold water created from purifiedpotable water derived from an atmosphere and for providing coffee, saidsystem comprising: a housing having an air-inlet port and an air-exhaustport; a refrigerant compressor; at least one multi-way solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve; a controller for monitoring and forcontrolling said at least one solenoid operated refrigerant controlvalve and other electrical subsystems within the system; an evaporator,wherein said evaporator has fins for maximizing surface-area contact andheat transfer with ambient air, wherein said fins are coated withnon-toxic, anti-corrosion materials that comply with applicableregulatory food standards for paint or a PTFE protective layer, saidcoating promoting rapid collection of condensate water, and wherein saidevaporator can be configured by said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve to receive chilled refrigerant as pumped fromsaid refrigerant compressor to chill air passing across said evaporatorfins, and wherein said evaporator can be configured by said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receive hot refrigerantas pumped from said refrigerant compressor to defrost said evaporatorfins; an anti-static, anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static,anti-mold air filter is installed upstream of said evaporator; acondenser for the system's refrigeration cycle; a fan or blower, whereinsaid fan or blower circulates ambient air from said air-inlet port,through said anti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator,said condenser, then out said air-exhaust port; a collector with highlypolished surfaces; a preliminary filter to remove any smell ofcondensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filter iscomprised of activated carbon or zeolite, a condensate-collection tank,wherein said highly polished surfaces of said collector facilitategravity flow of condensate water into said condensate-collection tank,and wherein said condensate-collection tank is equipped with awater-level detector, said water-level detector and controller causingsaid evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerant at a predeterminedhigh-level setpoint; at least one water pump; a particle filter forfiltering particles to protect an intake of said at least one waterpump; a water-purification filtration assembly to filter out bacteria,viruses, and heavy metals, as well as to remove unwanted smells,comprising: at least one activated carbon filter, at least onereverse-osmosis filter, wherein said reverse-osmosis filter has anaperture of less than or equal to 0.0001 μm, and wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed such that a waste water canbe directed to said collector via a three-way valve that is controlledby a waste-water proportion controller, at least one zeolite filter,wherein said at least one water pump pumps condensate water from saidcondensate-collection tank through said water-purification assembly; apurified-water-collection tank for collecting purified water, whereinsaid purified-water-collection tank is equipped with a water-leveldetector, said water-level detector and controller causing said at leastone water pump to stop pumping new purified water into saidpurified-water-collection tank at a predetermined high-level setpoint, acooling loop disposed within said purified-water-collection tank,wherein said cooling loop can be configured by said at least onesolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receive refrigerant aspumped from said refrigerant compressor to cool said purified water, andwherein a temperature of said purified water in thepurified-water-collection tank is maintained within a temperature rangeof 2-15 Celsius; a sterilization system for killing biological materialand viruses within said purified-water-collection tank, comprising anultra-violet light device and sterilization chamber, said ultra-violetlight device having an effective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%,using a wavelength in a range of 253-255 nm; a hot-water tank thatreceives purified water from said purified-water-collection tank throughgravity drain, wherein said hot-water tank contains an electricalheating element, wherein the purified water within said hot-water tankis within a range of 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller,and wherein to provide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potablewater can be pumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operatedvalve and an output filter to a common outlet header; a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; a coffee maker, the coffee maker comprising: a ground coffeecontainer having an inlet, the inlet provided with at least one of: hotpurified water or steam, and the ground coffee container having anoutlet for liquid coffee, thereby allowing a user to obtain an output ofcoffee or hot or cold purified water from the system.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, further comprising an interface for playing an audio deviceconnected thereto.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising amodule for making and dispensing ice.
 15. The system of claim 12,further comprising a module for making and dispensing ice.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, further comprising an interface for playing an audiodevice connected thereto.
 17. The system of claim 12, further comprisingat least one solar panel having a rated capacity of at least 300 W toelectrically power the system.
 18. A method for making a system forproviding an audio player and drinkable water derived from anatmosphere, said method comprising the steps of: providing a housinghaving an air-inlet port and an air-exhaust port; providing arefrigerant compressor; providing at least one multi-waysolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve; providing a controller formonitoring for controlling said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve and other electrical subsystems within thesystem; providing an evaporator, wherein said evaporator has fins formaximizing surface-area contact and heat transfer with ambient air,wherein said fins are coated with non-toxic, anti-corrosion materialsthat comply with applicable regulatory food standards for paint or aPTFE protective layer, said coating promoting rapid collection ofcondensate water, and wherein said evaporator can be configured by saidat least one solenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receivechilled refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerant compressor to chillair passing across said evaporator fins, and wherein said evaporator canbe configured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve to receive hot refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to defrost said evaporator fins; providing an anti-static,anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static, anti-mold air filter isinstalled upstream of said evaporator; providing a condenser for thesystem's refrigeration cycle; providing a fan or blower, wherein saidfan or blower circulates ambient air from said air-inlet port, throughsaid anti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator, saidcondenser, then out said air-exhaust port; providing a collector withhighly polished surfaces; providing a preliminary filter to remove anysmell of condensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filteris comprised of activated carbon or zeolite; providing acondensate-collection tank, wherein said highly polished surfaces ofsaid collector facilitate gravity flow of condensate water into saidcondensate-collection tank, and wherein said condensate-collection tankis equipped with a water-level detector, said water-level detector andcontroller causing said evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerantat a predetermined high-level setpoint; providing at least one waterpump; providing a particle filter for filtering particles to protect anintake of said at least one water pump; providing a water-purificationfiltration assembly to filter out bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals,as well as to remove unwanted smells, comprising: at least one activatedcarbon filter, at least one reverse-osmosis filter, wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter has an aperture of less than or equal to 0.0001μm, and wherein said reverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed suchthat a waste water can be directed to said collector via a three-wayvalve that is controlled by a waste-water proportion controller, atleast one zeolite filter; wherein said at least one water pump pumpscondensate water from said condensate-collection tank through saidwater-purification assembly; providing a purified-water-collection tankfor collecting purified water, wherein said purified-water-collectiontank is equipped with a water-level detector, said water-level detectorand controller causing said at least one water pump to stop pumping newpurified water into said purified-water-collection tank at apredetermined high-level setpoint; providing a cooling loop disposedwithin said purified-water-collection tank, wherein said cooling loopcan be configured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerantcontrol valve to receive refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to cool said purified water, and wherein a temperature ofsaid purified water in the purified-water-collection tank is maintainedwithin a temperature range of 2-15 Celsius; providing a sterilizationsystem for killing biological material and viruses within saidpurified-water-collection tank, comprising an ultra-violet light deviceand sterilization chamber, said ultra-violet light device having aneffective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%, using a wavelength in arange of 253-255 nm; providing a hot-water tank that receives purifiedwater from said purified-water-collection tank through gravity drain,wherein said hot-water tank contains an electrical heating element,wherein the purified water within said hot-water tank is within a rangeof 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller, and wherein toprovide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potable water can bepumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operated valve and anoutput filter to a common outlet header; providing a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; and providing an interface for charging and playing an audiodevice connected thereto; providing at least one speaker within orconnected to said housing; and thereby providing a method for making asystem for providing an audio player and air extracted, purified water,the purified water being thereby available for a user to extract viasaid common outlet valve.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theinterface for charging and playing an audio device is adapted to playaudio files transmitted from: an MP3 player, a smart-phone, a digitalradio, an audio book player, or an MP4 player.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein the method further comprises: providing at least one CO₂ gascylinder, stored within said housing and removable, equipped with aone-way valve, a valve stem, an outlet-release valve, and a pressurerelief valve; providing a gas-diffusion chamber, stored within saidhousing and removable, equipped with an inlet valve and apressure-relief valve, wherein said controller will set off an alarm ifsaid pressure relief valve's spring pressure setting is set above apredetermined value, and wherein said gas-diffusion chamber contains aneffective amount of purified water user-determined, obtained by a userby manually filling said CO₂ gas a predetermined level with purifiedwater obtained from said common outlet valve of the system; providing agas line used to communicatively couple said at least one CO₂ gascylinder and said gas-diffusion chamber; and a spring-loaded levercommunicatively coupled to said at least one CO₂ gas cylinder valve stemsuch that when said lever is depressed, said at least one CO₂ gascylinder valve stem opens said outlet-release valve, said at least oneCO₂ gas cylinder one-way valve releases pressurized gas into said gasline and into said gas-diffusion chamber via a trachea pipe within saidgas-diffusion chamber, and once said gas-diffusion chamber realizes asaturated content of purified water and CO₂ gas (that is, said purifiedwater has become sufficiently carbonated), said outlet-release valveopens, thus signaling a user to release said spring-loaded lever to stopthe transfer of gas between said at least one CO₂ gas cylinder and saidgas-diffusion chamber; thereby carbonating air-extracted, purifiedwater, which is available for a user to extract via said outlet-releasevalve.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step ofproviding at least one solar panel having a rated capacity of at least300 W to electrically power the system.
 22. The method of claim 18,wherein the purified water is cooled to form ice and the ice may bedispensed to a user.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said purifiedwater is heated and passed through a chamber containing ground coffee toform a liquid coffee beverage which may be dispensed to a user.
 24. Themethod of claim 18, wherein said purified water is heated and passedthrough a chamber containing ground coffee to form a liquid coffeebeverage which may be dispensed to a user.
 25. The method of claim 24,further comprising the step of cooling the purified water to form iceand the ice may be dispensed to a user.
 26. The method of claim 18,wherein: said refrigerant compressor is a controllable, variable-speed,high-efficiency compressor; said refrigerant compressor is controlled byan inverter-controller; duty cycles and operation of said refrigerantcompressor can be user-adjusted at an onboard control panel via saidinverter-controller; and a user can program the system to operate saidrefrigerant compressor at optimum efficiency according to theenvironmental conditions.
 27. The method of claim 18, further comprisinga step of providing at least one solar panel having a rated capacity ofat least 300 W to electrically power the system.
 28. A method for makinga system for providing ice and drinkable water derived from anatmosphere, said method comprising the steps of: providing a housinghaving an air-inlet port and an air-exhaust port; providing arefrigerant compressor; providing at least one multi-waysolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve; providing a controller formonitoring and for controlling said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve and other electrical subsystems within thesystem; providing an evaporator, wherein said evaporator has fins formaximizing surface-area contact and heat transfer with ambient air,wherein said fins are coated with non-toxic, anti-corrosion materialsthat comply with applicable regulatory food standards for paint or aPTFE protective layer, said coating promoting rapid collection ofcondensate water, and wherein said evaporator can be configured by saidat least one solenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receivechilled refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerant compressor to chillair passing across said evaporator fins, and wherein said evaporator canbe configured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve to receive hot refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to defrost said evaporator fins; providing an anti-static,anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static, anti-mold air filter isinstalled upstream of said evaporator; providing a condenser for thesystem's refrigeration cycle; providing a fan or blower, wherein saidfan or blower circulates ambient air from said air-inlet port, throughsaid anti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator, saidcondenser, then out said air-exhaust port; providing a collector withhighly polished surfaces; providing a preliminary filter to remove anysmell of condensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filteris comprised of activated carbon or zeolite; providing acondensate-collection tank, wherein said highly polished surfaces ofsaid collector facilitate gravity flow of condensate water into saidcondensate-collection tank, and wherein said condensate-collection tankis equipped with a water-level detector, said water-level detector andcontroller causing said evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerantat a predetermined high-level setpoint; providing at least one waterpump; providing a particle filter for filtering particles to protect anintake of said at least one water pump; providing a water-purificationfiltration assembly to filter out bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals,as well as to remove unwanted smells, comprising: at least one activatedcarbon filter, at least one reverse-osmosis filter, wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter has an aperture of less than or equal to 0.0001μm, and wherein said reverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed suchthat a waste water can be directed to said collector via a three-wayvalve that is controlled by a waste-water proportion controller, atleast one zeolite filter; wherein said at least one water pump pumpscondensate water from said condensate-collection tank through saidwater-purification assembly; providing a purified-water-collection tankfor collecting purified water, wherein said purified-water-collectiontank is equipped with a water-level detector, said water-level detectorand controller causing said at least one water pump to stop pumping newpurified water into said purified-water-collection tank at apredetermined high-level setpoint; providing a cooling loop disposedwithin said purified-water-collection tank, wherein said cooling loopcan be configured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerantcontrol valve to receive refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to cool said purified water, and wherein a temperature ofsaid purified water in the purified-water-collection tank is maintainedwithin a temperature range of 2-15 Celsius; providing a sterilizationsystem for killing biological material and viruses within saidpurified-water-collection tank, comprising an ultra-violet light deviceand sterilization chamber, said ultra-violet light device having aneffective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%, using a wavelength in arange of 253-255 nm; providing a hot-water tank that receives purifiedwater from said purified-water-collection tank through gravity drain,wherein said hot-water tank contains an electrical heating element,wherein the purified water within said hot-water tank is within a rangeof 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller, and wherein toprovide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potable water can bepumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operated valve and anoutput filter to a common outlet header; providing a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; and providing an ice maker comprising: an inlet to a vessel, theinlet provided with purified water, a vessel for containing the purifiedwater during cooling, at least one cooling loop adjacent to the vessel;and an ice dispenser having an ice release mechanism; thereby providinga method for making a system for producing air-extracted, purified waterand ice, the purified water being thereby available for a user toextract via said common outlet valve, and the ice being available for auser to extract through said ice release mechanism.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising a step of providing a coffee maker, thecoffee maker using heated purified water passed through a chambercontaining ground coffee to form a liquid coffee beverage which may bedispensed to a user.
 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising astep of providing at least one solar panel having a rated capacity of atleast 300 W to electrically power the system.
 31. A method for making asystem for providing coffee and drinkable water derived from anatmosphere, said method comprising the steps of: providing a housinghaving an air-inlet port and an air-exhaust port; providing arefrigerant compressor; providing at least one multi-waysolenoid-operated refrigerant control valve; providing a controller formonitoring and for controlling said at least one solenoid-operatedrefrigerant control valve and other electrical subsystems within thesystem; providing an evaporator, wherein said evaporator has fins formaximizing surface-area contact and heat transfer with ambient air,wherein said fins are coated with non-toxic, anti-corrosion materialsthat comply with applicable regulatory food standards for paint or aPTFE protective layer, said coating promoting rapid collection ofcondensate water, and wherein said evaporator can be configured by saidat least one solenoid-operated refrigerant control valve to receivechilled refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerant compressor to chillair passing across said evaporator fins, and wherein said evaporator canbe configured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerant controlvalve to receive hot refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to defrost said evaporator fins; providing an anti-static,anti-mold air filter, wherein said anti-static, anti-mold air filter isinstalled upstream of said evaporator; providing a condenser for thesystem's refrigeration cycle; providing a fan or blower, wherein saidfan or blower circulates ambient air from said air-inlet port, throughsaid anti-static, anti-mold air filter, across said evaporator, saidcondenser, then out said air-exhaust port; providing a collector withhighly polished surfaces; providing a preliminary filter to remove anysmell of condensate water and ammonia, wherein said preliminary filteris comprised of activated carbon or zeolite; providing acondensate-collection tank, wherein said highly polished surfaces ofsaid collector facilitate gravity flow of condensate water into saidcondensate-collection tank, and wherein said condensate-collection tankis equipped with a water-level detector, said water-level detector andcontroller causing said evaporator to stop receiving chilled refrigerantat a predetermined high-level setpoint; providing at least one waterpump; providing a particle filter for filtering particles to protect anintake of said at least one water pump; providing a water-purificationfiltration assembly to filter out bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals,as well as to remove unwanted smells, comprising: at least one activatedcarbon filter, at least one reverse-osmosis filter, wherein saidreverse-osmosis filter has an aperture of less than or equal to 0.0001μm, and wherein said reverse-osmosis filter can be back-flushed suchthat a waste water can be directed to said collector via a three-wayvalve that is controlled by a waste-water proportion controller, atleast one zeolite filter; wherein said at least one water pump pumpscondensate water from said condensate-collection tank through saidwater-purification assembly; providing a purified-water-collection tankfor collecting purified water, wherein said purified-water-collectiontank is equipped with a water-level detector, said water-level detectorand controller causing said at least one water pump to stop pumping newpurified water into said purified-water-collection tank at apredetermined high-level setpoint; providing a cooling loop disposedwithin said purified-water-collection tank, wherein said cooling loopcan be configured by said at least one solenoid-operated refrigerantcontrol valve to receive refrigerant as pumped from said refrigerantcompressor to cool said purified water, and wherein a temperature ofsaid purified water in the purified-water-collection tank is maintainedwithin a temperature range of 2-15 Celsius; providing a sterilizationsystem for killing biological material and viruses within saidpurified-water-collection tank, comprising an ultra-violet light deviceand sterilization chamber, said ultra-violet light device having aneffective sterilization rate of at least 99.99%, using a wavelength in arange of 253-255 nm; providing a hot-water tank that receives purifiedwater from said purified-water-collection tank through gravity drain,wherein said hot-water tank contains an electrical heating element,wherein the purified water within said hot-water tank is within a rangeof 50-95 Celsius, as controlled by said controller, and wherein toprovide hot, potable water for a user, said hot, potable water can bepumped by a hot-water pump through an electrically operated valve and anoutput filter to a common outlet header; providing a common outletvalve, disposed at said common outlet header, that can be positioned toallow a user to obtain an output of hot or cold purified water from thesystem; and providing a coffee maker, the coffee maker comprising: aground coffee container having an inlet, the inlet provided with atleast one of: hot purified water or steam, and the ground coffeecontainer having an outlet for liquid coffee; thereby providing a methodfor making a system for producing air-extracted, purified water andcoffee, thereby available for a user to extract via said common outletvalve.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising a step ofproviding at least one solar panel having a rated capacity of at least300 W to electrically power the system.